White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_deer
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
Family
Cervidae
Genus
Odocoileus
White-tailed Deer belongs to the family Cervidae, order Artiodactyla, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
White-tailed Deer face severe population declines in certain regions due to habitat fragmentation from urban development and agricultural expansion, which isolates populations and reduces genetic diversity. Vehicle strikes on roads fragmenting their habitat cause significant mortality, while climate change alters vegetation patterns and increases disease transmission rates. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority, with some local populations experiencing critical declines despite broader species distribution.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, agricultural areas, grasslands, and shrublands from sea level to mountainous regions up to 3000m elevation. They utilize forest understory for cover and adjacent open areas including meadows, crop fields, and suburban landscapes for foraging.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
White-tailed Deer face severe population declines in certain regions due to habitat fragmentation from urban development and agricultural expansion, which isolates populations and reduces genetic diversity. Vehicle strikes on roads fragmenting their habitat cause significant mortality, while climate change alters vegetation patterns and increases disease transmission rates. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority, with some local populations experiencing critical declines despite broader species distribution.
Chronic wasting disease and other emerging pathogens
Climate change affecting food sources and disease patterns
Habitat fragmentation from urbanization and agriculture
Vehicle collisions on roads bisecting habitat
Genetic isolation of small fragmented populations
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/white-tailed-deer